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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1776
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That James Livingston, having been appointed a colonel of a regiment by General Montgomery, have a colonel's commission given him, with orders to inlist as many companies of Canadians as are willing to engage in the service; and that the commander in chief, in the northern department, be directed to recommend to Congress, proper persons for officers under him.
The council of safety of Pensylvania, having recommended Mr. Bernard Hubley, Jun. as first lieutenant in
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the fifth company of the German batallion,in the room of Lewis van Linkensdorf who chuses to continue Adjutant to said battalion.
Resolved, That he be accepted, and that a commission be granted to him accordingly.
A petition from Return Jonathan Meigs, in behalf of himself and others, was presented to Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated Philadelphia, August 16, 1776, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 15.]
[Resolved, That it] referred to the Board of War.
Resolved, That an order for 30,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of James Mease, for the use of the militia going to New Jersey.
Resolved, That the sum of 500 dollars be lodged in the hands of the auditor general, for the purpose of discharging small debts; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Colonel M'Callister, eight stand of arms for the use of his batallion, the said committee taking security for the return of said arms:
That the said committee be directed to deliver to the delegates of North Carolina, five tons of lead, for the use of the troops in that Colony [state].
The committee to whom the letter from Governor Trumbull of the 19th of July, with sundry depositions and papers, was referred, brought in their report, which was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table.
A petition from Jeremiah Dugan. was presented and read:
Ordered, To lie on the table.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the instructions given to Commodore Hopkins, his examination and
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answers, &c. and, thereupon, came to the following resolution:
Resolved, That the said Commodore Hopkins, during his cruize to the southward, did not pay due regard to the tenor of his instructions, whereby he was expressly directed to annoy the enemy's ships upon the coasts of the southern states; and, that his reasons for not going from Providence immediately to the Carolinas, are by no means satisfactory.1
[Note 1: 1 "I fear the Confederation will not be finished in time to be laid before our Assembly at their next sitting. Last week passed without looking at it. Other affairs have taken up the whole time. Near two days were taken up about Commodore Hopkins; and we had the pleasure to be for the greatest part of that time entertained by the eloquence of some of our Southern brethren, particularly that polite speaker, Middleton. The Congress at last found Hopkins guilty of not paying proper attention to his orders."Josiah Bartlett to William Whipple, 18 August, 1776.]
At the request of [the delegates of] Pennsylvania, the farther consideration of the report was postponed till to morrow.
Sundry letters being received, were read; viz
One, from General Washington, of the 14th
One from General Gates, of the 5th;
One from General Schuyler, of the 7th.2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folio 401. That of Schuyler is in No. 153, II, folio 267. That of Gates is in No. 154, I, folio 27.]
Resolved, That 500,000 dollars be sent to Mr. Trumbull, deputy pay master general, for the use of the army in the northern department.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to the order of the Marine Committee, such stores by them imported as are necessary for the fleet.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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